Curated OER
The Solar Cycle
Students research the solar cycle. In this Science lesson, students use the internet to investigate the solar cycle. Students produce a spreadsheet and graph from the information collected.
Curated OER
Why People Trade
Learners explore the role of government in the economy market. In this economics lesson, students analyze the decision making and how it takes into consideration additional cost, benefits and public awareness of what they are trying to...
Rainforest Alliance
Forests of Guatemala
With 90 percent of its land area covered in forests, Suriname, a country in South America, contains the largest percentage of forests throughout the world. Here is an activity that brings classmates together to learn about the...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Design 'Y'er Genes
How do changes in DNA affect an organism? Scholars explore chromosomes, genes, DNA, and mutations by modeling the DNA of a strawberry. They build a DNA model, then manipulate it to show how changing the genes transforms the strawberry...
Curated OER
Shape Hunt
Explore the world of shapes! After free tangram exploration and pair share time, learners describe various patterns and shapes in both the natural and designed world. They investigate the use of tangrams to create patterns and shapes.
Curated OER
Our Geometic World
Young scholars walk around the neighborhood and identify various polygons and lines in buildings, nature and other objects. They design a building using various geometric patterns, shapes and lines. Students complete a descriptive...
Curated OER
Solving Math Problems In the Real World
Upper elementary and middles schoolers discuss and solve real world applications of math. They use formulas for volume and percents to answer real world questions. In the second part of the lesson, groups write and solve word problems....
Curated OER
Numbers In Art
Help develop an awareness of the natural and manufactured environment and relate the subject matter to young learners' lives. The interpretation of the meaning of art is reinforced and its application to self and other audiences is...
Curated OER
Virtual Field Trip
This hands-on resource has future trip planners analyze graphs of mileage, gasoline costs, and travel time on different routes. While this was originally designed for a problem-solving exercise using a Michigan map, it could be used as a...
Illustrative Mathematics
Computing Volume Progression 4
This resource was written for the younger math learner, but finding the volume of an irregular solid is also a problem for algebra and geometry learners. Based on Archimedes’ Principle, one can calculate the volume of a stone by...
Curated OER
Design Explorations: Frieze Patterns
Students will explore frieze patterns. A frieze pattern is a mathematical concept to classify designs on two-dimensional surfaces, which are repetitive in one direction, based on the symmetries in the pattern. They will explore examples...
Teach Engineering
Magnetic Materials
The design challenge: develop a method to separate steel from aluminum. The first lesson plan in an eight-part series introduces the class to the grand challenge of ciming up with a method to streamline a sorting process at a...
Illustrative Mathematics
Accuracy of Carbon 14 Dating I
Here is an activity that is intended to highlight a very important issue about precision in reporting and understanding statements in a realistic scientific context. Discuss different ways of reporting the half life of Carbon 14...
Illustrative Mathematics
Quinoa Pasta 1
Here is a great opportunity to introduce your mathematicians to a food they may never have heard of, quinoa. It may help to show a short video on quinoa, or make some quinoa for the class to try. Once they get over how to say quinoa,...
Curated OER
Interactive Fractions
Learners determine the common denominator of two unlike fractions. They practice adding fractions and finding equivalent fractions of numbers. They compare and contrast different types of equations involving fractions and construct...
Curated OER
Measuring Objects in the Classroom
Third graders use ruler and tapes to measure classroom objects. After discussing measurement tools, have students complete sentences stating what they would use to measure various objects. Later in the computer lab, they type their...
Curated OER
Tour + Workshop = DESIGN: Shape
Ask elementary students to explore shapes in everyday objects. They will discuss the elements of design and describe the shapes they see in visual images. Students will then design and "build" a new 3D shape. Finally they will show and...
Curated OER
100 Stamps for 100 Days
Students recognize similarities and generalize patterns. In this math and technology lesson plan, students develop an understanding of number patterning by grouping stamps and counting by 10s.
Curated OER
High Rollaway Heroes
Students work collaboratively with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to preserve a local historical and environmentally fragile site. They conduct a survey of the plant and animal life at the site, and create an informational...
Curated OER
Symmetry
Third graders find symmetry in nature. For this symmetry lesson, 3rd graders discover that symmetry is in nature and our everyday world. Students examine the alphabet for symmetrical letters then create their own artwork showing symmetry.
Curated OER
CSI Rhino
Students study the rhinoceros and how the species has survived for so long. In this rhino lesson students create graphs and research what is being done to protect the rhino.
Curated OER
Water-The Liquid Gold
Young scholars investigate the necessity of water for the survival of plants, animals, and people. They explore the affect that water has on human and natural environments through literature, field trips, and discussions.
Curated OER
Footprints
Young scholars explore patterns. In this patterns geometry lesson, students identify and extend patterns including body parts, movement, geometric shapes, noises, and footprints. Young scholars create and share an original...
Curated OER
Infrared-Hot
Students describe how the sun heats the Earth, explain the nature of infrared light, explain how thunderstorms are formed and use infrared maps to predict severe weather.